WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PATTIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F
• In a sifter, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Sift onto a large piece of wax paper and set aside until needed.
• Heat 1 inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat.
• With the heat on, place the white chocolate in the top half of the double boiler.
• Use a rubber spatula to stir the chocolate until completely melted and smooth, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the melted white chocolate to a 1-quart bowl and set aside until needed.
• Place the granulated sugar and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle.
• Beat on medium for 4 minutes until smooth.
• Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl, then continue to beat on medium for 2 more minutes until very smooth.
• Add the egg and the vanilla extract and beat on medium for 1 minute until combined.
• Scrape down the bowl.
• Add the melted chocolate and beat on medium for 1 minute until combined.
• Scrape down the bowl.
• Add the sifted dry ingredients and mix on low until incorporated, about 30 seconds.
• Add the chopped peppermint candy and mix on low until incorporated, about 30 seconds.
• Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a rubber spatula to finish mixing the dough until thoroughly combined.
• Using a heaping tablespoon of dough for each cookie (approximately 1/2 ounce), portion 12 cookies, evenly spaced, onto each of 3 nonstick baking sheets.
• Place the baking sheets on the top and center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 9 minutes until lightly golden brown around the edges, rotating the sheets from top to center halfway through the the baking time (at that time also turn each sheet 180 degrees).
• Remove the cookies from the oven and cool to room temperature for 30 minutes.